The Ida County Board of Supervisors met on Oct. 11 at 9:30 in the courthouse. Board members present were Chair Raymond Drey and Rhett Leonard.
County Engineer Jeff Williams presented the updated salary certifications, which included the approved $1.50 per hour increase. The salaries effective Oct. 31, are as follows: Darek Boysen-$25.50; Tom Cooper-$26.97; Darin Dausel-$25.65; Kent Hinrickson-$25.50; Jered Iversen-$25.50; Andy Johnson-$25.42; DJ Meek-$25.50; Trevor Reitz $25.42 and Tristian Senhen-$26.34.
Traffic by OABCIG’s Odebolt Elementary and city betterment including what to do with city hall were on tap as Odebolt City Council met. During its October meeting, council heard community concerns including the flow of traffic following the one-way change on 6th Street near the school. Resident Bobbi Lohrville asked council whether the turn could be made more conducive for traffic going north at that location.
The Battle Creek City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. in the Community Hall. Council members in attendance were Jary Vermeys, Myra Meek, and Jeanette Holmes. Doug Loehr was present to address concerns about his lot at 414 Clara Street. The council concluded that if he shows a continuation of progress and effort, then they are satisfied. Neighbors concerned with property lines are asked to get with Doug directly as the city does not determine those.
The Galva City Council met in regular session on Oct. 10 with Mayor Wanberg and council members Cunningham, Freese, Hustedt, Langel, and Wuebker in attendance. Kevin Carpenter gave the council a demonstration of Silversmith GIS Mapping. Following discussion, the council decided that the City of Galva did not want to enter into an agreement with Silversmith at this time. The council agreed to approve the building permit application from Shelby Barnes for a new deck at 305 Main Street.
Ethan Zobel started EZ Equipment Sales in 2013 when he was just 13 years old. “It started as just buying, repairing, and reselling farm equipment,” explained Zobel. “It quickly evolved into the parts business it is today, where our main focus is selling new, used, and rebuilt tractor and combine parts.” EZ Equipment is located half a mile east of Holstein on Highway 20 (5488 Hwy 20). Zobel currently employs two full-time employees and nearly a dozen part-time employees plus himself.
An effort at downtown revitalization is going ahead as the city is accepting bids for the work. A deadline for the façade work has been set at 2 p.m. Nov. 17.
Bids will be opened after that with the winning bidder notified on or after Nov. 18 following review by the architect. City council will need to approve the winning bid.
Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates has prepared plans for the work.
A pre-bid conference is set for 2 p.m. Nov. 3 ahead of the deadline for bid submission.
Todd Conover has a wealth of experience to offer in his bid to be elected to the Ida County Board of Supervisors. “I was born and raised here, a Galva-Holstein graduate,” said Conover. “I was a John Deere dealership employee for 27 years, as store manager and part owner. I’ve also been part of a farm operation the last 14 years, and worked at UBI for three years as a crop insurance specialist in the farm management department.”
The Ida Grove City Council met on Monday, Oct. 3 at the temporary City Hall in the Rec Center. In attendance were council members Gregor Ernst, Ange Johnson, Jeff Miesner, Jason Schable, Jared Bogue, and Mayor Devlun Whiteing. The council approved the purchase of a sewer jetting machine, not to exceed $84,000. The council then appointed Reynold McLead to the Planning and Zoning Committee, with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2024. The council also approved Kristy Gilbert as Rec Center Board President, with a term expiring June 30, 2025.
The Holstein City Council met on Oct. 3, at 5:30 p.m. In the public works report, the council learned that the storm sewer grate at the corner of Highway 59 and 2nd Street, by Cosgrove Law Firm, had been replaced. The high service pump at the water plant has also been replaced. Pete’s Tree Service checked several ash trees that will require removal over the next few years. Street patching has been completed on Kastner Drive and various other places.
Some of Ida County workers will finally get the raise they have been seeking including county roads workers. County Engineer Jeff Williams, Assistant Engineer Colin Ryan and Renee Von Bokern briefed the Ida County Board of Supervisors on wages in place in similar size areas to Ida County.
With inflation hitting hard, wages have been scrambling to respond in turn.
The Board approved $1.50 per hour in an increase for road workers and Tristian Senhen, Engineer Technician.
